Situation in South Sudan very grave: UN top human rights official

People from the outside think the situation in South Sudan is very grave and there are fears of revenge killings.

That's what Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights told government officials during her visit to Juba in the wake of recent mass killings in South Sudan's Unity and Jonglei state capitals.

Accompanying her is Adama Dieng, the Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide.

"We from the outside think the situation is very grave and there might be revenge killings. You know when there is a dispute between two leaders, as we say in Africa when two elephants fight it’s the grass that suffers, well here I see civilians, ordinary people was suffering and they are suffering huge human rights violations – from right to food, to violence, sexual violence and so on. These are my concerns." (27″)

During the meeting Pillay asked that human rights violations cease, so that internally displaced people can return to their homes particularly for the planting season.

Security conditions permitting, Pillay will also travel to sites where recent grave human rights violations have occurred to assess the human rights situation and talk to victims.

Pillay is also expected to meet other key actors such as the National Human Rights Commission, as well as opposition leaders.